In spite of therapeutic improvements in the treatment of different hematologic malignancies, the prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treated solely with conventional induction and consolidation chemotherapy remains poor, especially in association with high risk chromosomal or molecular aberrations. Recent discoveries describe the complex interaction of immune effector cells, as well as the role of the bone marrow microenvironment in the development, maintenance and progression of AML. Lipids, and in particular omega-3 as well as omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been shown to play a vital role as signaling molecules of immune processes in numerous benign and malignant conditions. While the majority of research in cancer has been focused on the role of lipid mediators in solid tumors, some data are showing their involvement also in hematologic malignancies. There is a considerable amount of evidence that AML cells are targetable by innate and adaptive immune mechanisms, paving the way for immune therapy approaches in AML. In this article we review the current data showing the lipid mediator and lipidome patterns in AML and their potential links to immune mechanisms.

Background: Medical care structures differ between urban and rural areas. Clinical cancer registries can depict real-world care through detailed data analysis, identifying potential regional disparities and contributing to improvements in healthcare. Methods: Data from the Brandenburg–Berlin Clinical-Epidemiological Cancer Registry for the years of diagnosis 2017–2022 were analyzed to assess the epidemiology and real-world care of gastric cancer, including cardia. Brandenburg was compared to Berlin regarding perioperative treatment regimens. The resulting survival benefits were assessed using Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression models. Results: For the years of diagnosis 2017 to 2022, 5805 cases of gastric carcinoma were documented in the cancer registry. Survival data showed no significant differences between Berlin and Brandenburg. Preoperative therapy for cT3/cT4N0 tumors was significantly more common in Berlin (72%) than in Brandenburg (68%). Perioperative therapy was associated with a survival benefit for stages T3-/T4N+ but not for stages T1N+ or T2. The lower proportion of pre-treated T3/T4N+ patients in rural Brandenburg did not result in a significant survival difference. Conclusions: The data provide a comprehensive representation of the current state of gastric cancer care in these two regions. Gastric cancer treatment outcomes, in terms of survival, are comparable between the rural region of Brandenburg and the urban center of Berlin.

Purpose: Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide, with 15–25% of patients presenting synchronous liver metastases (UICC stage IV). Surgical resection remains crucial, but the optimal sequence for managing synchronous metastases is debated. This study evaluates the impact of different surgical strategies on survival in colorectal cancer patients with liver-only metastases (CRLM) and identifies factors influencing mortality. Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed CRLM patients from German cancer registries in Brandenburg and Berlin from 2017 to 2022, grouped by surgical treatment sequence: simultaneous primary tumor resection (PTR) and liver resection, PTR before liver resection, or liver resection before PTR. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses evaluated overall survival (OS) and the impact of systemic therapy and patient characteristics. Results: Among 23,394 colorectal cancer patients, 209 met inclusion criteria. Simultaneous resection was performed in 45% (N = 93), PTR before liver resection in 43% (N = 90), and liver resection first in 12% (N = 26). PTR before liver resection showed the best 5-year OS (68% vs. 53% for simultaneous surgery; HR 0.44, 95% CI = 0.22–0.88, p = 0.020). Simultaneous resection had the highest 30-day mortality (6.5%, N = 6). Postoperative chemotherapy significantly improved 5-year OS (66% vs. 57% for no chemotherapy; HR 0.45, 95% CI = 0.22–0.95, p = 0.036). Excluding 30-day mortality, survival differences diminished. Conclusion: Primary tumor resection before liver resection appears to improve long-term survival in CRLM patients. Simultaneous resection should be carefully considered due to increased mortality, particularly in older patients with lower performance status undergoing major liver surgery. Postoperative chemotherapy enhances survival, emphasizing the need for tailored treatment strategies.

Zusammenfassung: Hintergrund: Klinische Krebsregister sollen durch differenzierte Datenauswertung die Versorgungsrealität abbilden und ggf. Ansätze für Verbesserung der Versorgung bieten. Methode: Für die Jahre 2000 bis 2018 wurden die Daten des klinisch-epidemiologischen Krebsregisters Brandenburg-Berlin bezüglich Epidemiologie und Versorgungsrealität getrennt nach Adeno- und Plattenepithelkarzinom untersucht. Ergebnisse: Zwischen 2000 und 2018 wurden 3207 Ösophaguskarzinome im Krebsregister dokumentiert, davon waren 2182 Plattenepithelkarzinome (ESCC), 843 Adenokarzinome (EAC) und 182 verschiedene andere oder fehlende Histologien. Im Beobachtungszeitraum zeigte sich eine deutliche Dominanz der ESCC, jedoch mit einer signifikanten Zunahme der EAC bei beiden Geschlechtern. Die Neuerkrankungsrate war insgesamt für Männer 5fach höher als für Frauen. Die relative 5‑Jahres-Überlebenswahrscheinlichkeit aller Ösophaguskarzinome lag bei Männern bei 17,4 % und bei Frauen bei 22,5 %. Patienten mit EAC überlebten signifikant länger als mit ESCC. Als Therapiemethoden kamen überwiegend Strahlen- und Chemotherapie, einzeln oder in Kombination, zum Einsatz. Operiert wurden 19 % der Plattenepithel- und 42 % der Adenokarzinome. Schlussfolgerung: Der Anteil der ESCC ist in Brandenburg immer noch deutlich höher als der der EAC, wobei für Letztere, insbesondere bei Männern, ein signifikanter Anstieg zu verzeichnen ist. Obwohl lokal fortgeschrittene Tumoren deutlich häufiger auftraten, sind moderne neoadjuvante Konzepte bisher selten dokumentiert und obwohl die Qualität der Operationen mit dem internationalen Standard vergleichbar ist, werden nur relativ wenige Patienten operiert.